Chapter 2489: Chapter 2490: Discussion Among Companions

"You should head back now." After having quite the chat with Davacia, Angel patted the head of the Dalmatian, speaking softly.

Although the Dalmatian showed reluctance, it eventually jumped down from Angel’s embrace and slowly walked to Davacia’s side.

After bidding farewell to Davacia,

Davacia and the Dalmatian slowly returned to the passage entrance, a meatball and a dairy dog, slowly merging into the pool, eventually disappearing completely.

Angel calmly observed the place where they vanished, waiting until the ripples in the Star Pond settled completely before letting out a slight sigh in his heart, turning to walk in the direction of Lord Reine.

"They have no other matters at hand, so they won’t leave Xinnai Land in the short term." Angel said.

Rhein nodded. The conversation between Angel and Davacia was not shielded, so he heard Angel’s probing towards Davacia. Davacia clearly holds "Lady Shava" in high regard and didn’t hide anything from Angel. When the topic of leaving Xinnai Land was brought up, Davacia clearly showed reluctance. This indicates that the creatures of Xinnai Land actually do not want to go to a world devoid of Nightmare Realm breath.

"Nonetheless, the barrier here still needs repair, just in case." Angel finished speaking to himself before realizing that his words held no real meaning. He and the Nightmare Realm creatures have a certain tacit understanding, which Lord Reine does not possess. Therefore, Lord Reine is likely more concerned, considering deeper issues; repairing the barrier is something he doesn’t need to worry about.

The two returned to the Observation Pavilion together.

Ironclad Granny and Tree Spirit looked at them briefly, not asking about Angel and Davacia’s conversation, only saying, "Is it over?"

Angel nodded: "With the Dalmatian heading back, affairs here should temporarily conclude."

"That’s good." Tree Spirit stretched lazily: "I shouldn’t be needed here anymore, I’ll be heading back."

Before leaving, Tree Spirit looked at Angel: "By the way, those madness sickness patients are within my main body. You can come directly when you’re able to treat them."

After speaking, Tree Spirit quietly approached Angel’s ear: "Don’t worry, you won’t have to work for free. I’ll post a treatment task in the Task Hall, and the rewards will come out of the pockets of the patients."

Angel: ...Actually, there’s no need. In Angel’s view, those madness sickness patients did their part; they were just unlucky. Tree Spirit wanting to take more from them seems a bit too much.

Yet, Tree Spirit was adamant: "A matter is a matter, you’re saving their lives. Besides, they were careless with no vigilance, so it’s deserved."

Having said that, Tree Spirit wasted no more words with Angel, dissipating immediately.

"Though Tree Spirit’s words may seem harsh, he genuinely cares about those afflicted wizard patients because many of them grew under his watch. Look, he’s rushing back to tend to them now, isn’t he?" Lord Reine said with a chuckle.

Angel pondered a moment, hesitated repeatedly, but eventually said: "Um...I just perceived that Lord Tree Spirit went to the Wilderness of Dreams."

Rhein’s smile froze instantly.

"Haha, I actually meant his avatar is taking care of the patients." Reine awkwardly clarified.

This time, Angel did not add anything since he, too, was unsure of what Tree Spirit’s avatar was doing.

Ironclad Granny softly spoke from the side: "Isn’t Tree Spirit’s avatar guarding ’Mushroom Witch’ Regina at the ruins where Angel lives?"

Rhein stared silently at Ironclad Granny, squeezing out a sentence through clenched teeth: "I meant the other avatar."

Ironclad Granny gazed at Rhein with a sly smile, but didn’t expose him, turning to Angel: "That guy, Tree Spirit, was just talking to me here in the Observation Pavilion about the new features of the Tree Group, he seemed quite fixated. I bet he’s soaking in the Tree Group now."

"New features of the Tree Group?" Angel was taken aback; he hasn’t paid attention to the Tree Group’s updates lately.

"It’s not really a new feature, just a beta version... It’s supposed to be called that, I remember Jon mentioning it, meaning it’s only in closed testing among a small group." Ironclad Granny said: "Tree Spirit has testing rights, so he’s in the group discussing daily."

"I remember the new features he mentioned are something like a graphic system and editing personal information."

Ironclad Granny chuckled: "Though I haven’t seen specific details, from Tree Spirit’s description, it sounds quite interesting. I must say, your mentor is an extraordinary person."

Ironclad Granny sincerely felt that Jon was a unique individual, with distinct ideas, behaviors, and thinking methods. Such a person, even as a mortal, deeply impressed her.

It’s no wonder he could teach a wizard like Angel, who possesses extraordinary talent and whimsical ideas.

Angel nodded in understanding: "Ah, I see."

Just the graphic system might not attract Tree Spirit; there must be other compelling content. Angel planned to visit the Tree Group Development Team when he had time to see what they had concocted.

Angel and Ironclad Granny casually chatted for a while longer, then paused.

"Granny, I’ll leave things here in your hands for now. I’ve already notified Esos, he’ll come over later to repair the barrier." Rhein said: "I’ll head back to handle some follow-up matters."

Previously, upon Angel’s arrival, to prevent other wizards from learning about Angel’s connection with the creatures of Xinnai Land, Rhein temporarily asked the other wizards to leave. Additionally, at the start, Rhein arranged for wizards to evacuate the citizens of Black Demon Country, all these follow-up matters needed his attention.

Originally, Tree Spirit should’ve taken care of these matters, but with Tree Spirit gone to the Wilderness of Dreams, Rhein had to undertake them.

With the Wilderness of Dreams now, dissemination of notices and announcements are less of a hassle, straightforwardly mentioned in the Tree Group and everyone would know. The challenge lies in how to explain and ease emotions.

Thinking of all these made Rhein’s head ache. Concurrently, he felt an additional measure of jealousy toward Tree Spirit.

Rhein: "As for you, Angel..."

Angel: "I’ll head back to the ruins where I live, study the structure the Dalmatian gave me, and once I’ve researched it, I’ll head to Lord Tree Spirit."

Rhein: "Then we’ll just go together."

Angel nodded. The supposed ’going together’ doesn’t actually exist. If Rhein genuinely wanted to return, his spatial mastery would easily allow him to transfer outside the Mirror World. Therefore, this going together should imply something else, presumably, Rhein had some questions for a private talk.

Ironclad Granny, seeing through but saying nothing, smiled and nodded: "Alright then, I’ll manage here."

After bidding farewell to Ironclad Granny, Angel swiftly left from the vicinity of the Star Pond Ruins with Rhein.

Angel anticipated Rhein to inquire about something, such as the previously vaguely mentioned issue of the Mist Belt.

Yet, Rhein remained silent from beginning to end, speaking for the first time only when they were about to arrive at the residence within the ruins. His inquiry differed vastly from what Angel expected.

"Not long ago, I met the Sage Magu in the Region of Fire," Rhein said as he glanced at Angel’s shoulder, where a piece of jade-white severed hand was clutching a glass bead containing the Blood Night Shelter.

This severed hand was none other than Dangross.

"Magu inquired about Dangross’s situation. I hadn’t seen you before, so I didn’t know how to answer. Now it seems, you two are getting along quite well?"

Angel nodded: "Dangross has been quite obedient lately."

Except for causing that fire in Saint Sem City, it has indeed been well-behaved, especially during the initial confrontation with No. 03, where Dangross also contributed significantly.

Dangross obviously heard Angel’s praise, its eyes in the palm of his hand flickering, with an embarrassed expression.

Rhein glanced at Dangross: "It’s good that you’re getting along well... After all, if elemental partners have intense conflicts, it can easily lead to backlash."

Elemental partners? Angel was taken aback for a moment, he hadn’t thought of making Dangross his elemental partner.

His goal had long been set on Kelonkcro as his preferred choice.

Angel was just about to refute when he caught a glimpse of Dangross... Dangross was still silent as before, perhaps still not reacting.

Looking at Dangross, Angel pondered: Would directly refuting and rejecting it hurt its young heart? Would it make it feel undervalued?

Thinking this, Angel hesitated for a moment, swallowing back the words he wanted to say and instead asked: "Lord Rhein, do all wizards get along well with their elemental partners?"

"There’s certainly opposition too, and not a small number. After all, absolute strength can suppress all dissent and make efficiency faster," Rhein said. "If you can’t get along harmoniously with an elemental partner, you can only go the high-pressure route. But if you can go the harmonious route, why create opposition?"

Generally speaking, mature elemental creatures have their own consciousness and opinions. Unless their ideas truly align, it’s difficult for them to absolutely obey another person. However, once subdued, they can quickly possess strong combat power. Elemental sprites, raised from young, can have their ideas aligned and be more in tune as elemental partners, but their strength needs to grow gradually.

Both have their advantages and shortcomings, and Rhein personally leans towards the latter. After all, Angel is not only an Illusionist Wizard but also an Alchemist. In the future, alchemy will definitely require a more cooperative fire elemental partner. If the relationship is adversarial, it could pose problems for alchemy.

Angel nodded, he actually understood what Rhein was saying; his inquiry was purely to change the topic. However, Rhein was right, since he’s already set his sights on Kelonkcro, he should consider how to foster a friendship with it.

Angel: "Since Lord Rhein has already met the Sage Magu, the Tidal World conference should be about to start?"

Rhein nodded: "Several Monarchs of Elemental Territories have already arrived in the Region of Fire. Soon, the meeting will commence. The specifics and process are many, but after I handle the follow-up of the ruins, we can discuss it on our return to the Tidal World."

As they spoke, the ruins where Angel was temporarily staying appeared in view.

Rhein: "We’re here now, you should go ahead."

Angel hesitated at the doorway: "Is there nothing else you want to ask me?"

Rhein smiled: "Not at the moment. We’ll discuss other matters later when we meet with your mentor in the Wilderness of Dreams."

Sanders is currently not back at the Barbarian Cave, temporarily stationed at the Tidal World. So, to chat together, they can only go to the Wilderness of Dreams.

Angel nodded, he thought Rhein would be interested in the Observer and the Mysterious Fruit’s ownership, or the Dalmatian issue, but it was simply brushed over.

Since Rhein didn’t ask, Angel was relieved. After all, there are many things he can’t say openly, but he can’t lie either, so he has to use rhetoric to cover up. Now without the need for rhetoric, it saves a lot of trouble.

As Angel turned to open the door to the ruins, Rhein’s voice came from behind.

"By the way, one more thing."

Angel turned to look.

"What do you think about the last question Davaxia asked you?"

Hearing this question, Angel fell into deep thought. Not long ago, when Angel was nearly done talking with Davaxia, Davaxia suddenly asked—

"Can the most adorable Davaxia ask the esteemed Shava a tiny question?"

Angel did not refuse.

"On next month’s Moon Festival, can adorable Davaxia taste the dessert made by esteemed Shava again?"

This question, on the surface, was about Davaxia wanting to eat magic marrow meat tainted with Nightmare Illusion Breath, but underneath, it was Davaxia hoping to meet Angel on the Moon Festival.

Every month on the Moon Festival, a banquet is held in Xinnai Land. Previously, Minister Nuka invited Angel to attend as well.

Davaxia’s meaning is clearly that he hopes Angel can attend next month’s banquet gathering.

Without the Dalmatian to back him up, Angel naturally doesn’t want to go. But he couldn’t outright refuse, so he gave a vague reply: "If I am here by then, I’ll prepare a dessert for the adorable Davaxia."

Davaxia did not press further, just nodded happily.

But now that Rhein brought it up, it’s clear he wants to know Angel’s true thoughts.

"I’ve mentioned before that I actually want to go, as it’s an opportunity to learn about the situation in Xinnai Land up close." Angel paused, quietly adding in his mind: Besides, he has an agreement with the Boiling Gentleman, who will ask the Minister of Arms for a new Light Solvent for him. Although Angel hasn’t used Light Solvent yet, from the Boiling Gentleman’s description, he knows how powerful Light Solvent is for alchemy.

Just for the Light Solvent, Angel wants to visit Xinnai Land.

However...

"But the premise is that there’s a way to solve the self-imposed pressure of those Nightmare Realm creatures." Angel said helplessly.

Last time, with the Dalmatian’s protection, he could temporarily ignore that pressure. But without the Dalmatian, just the pressure from that group of Nightmare Realm creatures could turn Angel’s "Shava persona" upside down.

Especially Minister Nuka’s pressure, which is not any less than Rhein’s.

Without a solution to this problem, no matter how much Angel wants to go, he can only give it up.

After hearing what Angel said, Rhein didn’t inquire further, just nodded thoughtfully: "I see."

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